Supreme Court hears arguments in lawsuit against Mississippi's abortion ban

Jigsha Desai, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·2 min read
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On Wednesday, Dec. 1, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging Mississippi’s ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The Clarion Ledger will be following the story all day and posting social media updates and reaction to the oral arguments below.

The Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization lawsuit is arguably the most contentious issue before the court in years and has the potential to upend the battle over reproductive rights well beyond Mississippi.

The Supreme Court holds oral argument in about 70-80 cases each year. The oral arguments held in front of the Supreme Court are an opportunity for the justices to ask questions directly of the attorneys representing the parties to the case, and for the attorneys to highlight arguments that they view as particularly important.

You can also listen live here.

Live stream: Watch the arguments

In an hour into oral arguments, Gov. Tate Reeves went on Glenn Beck's radio show and said he would like to see the Supreme Court overthrow Roe v. Wade.

"Today is the day many of us in the prolife movement have been waiting for for a long time," Reeves said.

He and many in the prolife movement believe abortion cases Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey were wrongly decided.

Reeves said the court's job is to interpret the Constitution and allow states like Mississippi to pass laws regulating abortion because it is not guaranteed in the Constitution.

Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith said she has been praying for the case and for members of the Supreme Court to open to legal and moral arguments against Roe v. Wade.

"There is no doubt that this case is the most significant pro-life legal opening in a half century, and certainly in my lifetime," she said in a Tuesday floor speech. "I am very proud that my state of Mississippi is in the center of this."

Mississippi State Rep. Becky Currie introduced the Gestational Age Act that bans abortions after 15 weeks, which was signed into law by former Gov. Phil Bryant in 2018.

A Twitter List by molly_weisner

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi abortion, fate of Roe v. Wade: From Supreme Court